Perde 5
[Textpart 1]
Are you in your senses? What disgraceful conduct of mine?
THE WIFE OF MENAECHMUS of Epidamnus.
When you filch from home my mantle and gold trinkets,
without the knowledge of your wife, and carry them off to your mistress. Don’t I state this correctly?
740
MENAECHMUS SOSICLES
O dear! madam, by my faith, you are both very bold and very perverse. Do you dare to say (pointing at the mantle) that this was stolen from you which another woman gave me, for me to get it trimmed?
THE WIFE OF MENAECHMUS of Epidamnus.
A little while since you didn’t deny that you had purloined it from me;
do you now hold up that same before my eyes? Are you not ashamed?
730
MENAECHMUS SOSICLES
By my faith, madam, I entreat you, if you know, show me what I’m to drink What I’m to drink: Some Commentators think that he is asking for a medical potion, to help him to swallow down the petulantia, or insulting conduct. This supposition does not seem necessary, for even a draught of water would have the same effect in such a case., by means of which I may put up with your impertinence. What person you are taking me to be, I don’t know;
I know you just as well as Parthaon As well as Parthaon: Parthaon was the father of Oeneus, King of Aetona, the father of Deianeira, the wife of Hercules. The name is used to signify a person who lived so long ago that it was impossible to know him..
745
THE WIFE OF MENAECHMUS of Epidamnus.
If you laugh at me, still, i’ troth, you can’t do so at him; my father, I mean, who’s coming here. Why don’t you look back? Do you know that person?
MENAECHMUS SOSICLES
Just as well as Calchas As well as Calchas: Calchas, the son of Thestor, was a famous soothsayer, who accompanied the Grecian army in the expedition against Troy. do I know him; I have seen him on that same day on which I have seen yourself before this present day.
THE WIFE OF MENAECHMUS of Epidamnus.
Do you deny that you know me? Do you deny that you know my father?
750
MENAECHMUS SOSICLES
Troth, I shall say the same thing, if you choose to bring your grandfather.
THE WIFE OF MENAECHMUS of Epidamnus.
I’ faith, you do this and other things just in a like fashion.
[Textpart 2]
According as my age permits, and as there is occasion to do so, I’ll push on my steps and make haste to get along.
OLD MAN
But how far from easy ’tis for me, I’m not mistaken as to that. For my agility forsakes me, and I am beset with age; I carry my body weighed down; my strength has deserted me. How grievous a pack upon one’s back is age. For when it comes, it brings very many and very grievous particulars,
755
were I now to recount all of which, my speech would be too long. But this matter is a trouble to my mind and heart, what this business can possibly be on account of which my daughter suddenly requires me to come to her,
760
and doesn’t first let me know what’s the matter, what she wants, or why she sends for me. But pretty nearly do I know now what’s the matter;
I suspect that some quarrel has arisen with her husband. So are these women wont to do, who, presuming on their portions, and haughty, require their husbands to be obedient to them; and they as well full oft are not without fault. But still there are bounds, within which a wife ought to be put up with.
765
By my troth, my daughter never sends for her father to come to her except when either something has been done wrong, or there is a cause for quarrelling. But whatever it is, I shall now know. And see, I perceive her herself before the house, and her husband in a pensive mood. ’Tis the same as I suspected.
770
